Mayweather vs. Ortiz: Money's Legacy Won't Be Tarnished by Cheap Shot

Floyd Mayweather's knockout of Victor Ortiz did not go over well with the paid attendance. However, now that a little time has gone by, and replays have been viewed, it is clear that "Money" Mayweather had no choice but to knockout the unsuspecting Ortiz. 

Mayweather was dominating this fight. Ortiz was clearly overmatched as there was little he could do to keep from getting hit by Mayweather. There was even less he could do to land a shot on Mayweather.

At least for the first three rounds. The fourth round is when things began to get a little funny.

Ortiz was growing frustrated and went on the attack. He actually managed to catch Mayweather with a couple of shots, and had him backpedaling into the ropes.

That's when Ortiz grew tired of using only his fists to Mayweather.

Ortiz turned his head into a battering ram. He thrust himself head first into Mayweather. It was an obvious headbutt and the referee, Joe Cortez, had no choice but to strip Ortiz of a point.

Cortez separated the boxers but did it rather nonchalantly. They were not ordered to a neutral corner. With that, the fight was in a weird "are we boxing or apologizing" state. Ortiz decided to use that time for the latter.

Ortiz hugged Mayweather with Cortes close by. Then they separated, touched gloves and Ortiz went for another hug. 

Mayweather had already adopted his fighting stance and, at first, was taken off guard by the hugging Ortiz. The fighters were free to resume boxing at this point.

As soon as Ortiz started backing away from his hug, Mayweather launched into a left-right combo that sent Ortiz sprawling on the canvas.

Mayweather had little choice. He would have no way of knowing what Ortiz's intentions were. To go along with the kiss and make up session would have been to leave himself vulnerable for the same kind of attack that he ultimately levied.

It is not appropriate to hold this against Mayweather. He was a victim of circumstance and he was the only one in the ring that seemed to be using his head at that moment.